Menopause is commonly associated with hot flashes and low libido, but it also causes noticeable skin changes in about 64% of women, including dryness, collagen loss, wrinkles, and itching.
Many women struggling with these issues are turning to regenerative medicine treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosome therapy, to address these and other menopause symptoms.
At Metro Health and Wellness in Marietta, Georgia, and Menopause Health Institute in Nashville, Tennessee, menopause and women’s health specialist Kirstie Cunningham, MD, FACOG, NCMP, offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and exosome therapy. Both treatments can help address menopause-related skin changes.
Here’s how menopause affects the skin, how regenerative medicine may help, and what to expect in terms of results.
Skin changes happen during menopause and perimenopause (the period leading up to menopause) because estrogen rapidly declines during this stage of a woman’s life. Estrogen is a hormone that supports collagen, a structural protein that keeps the skin youthful and plump, hydration, and skin thickness.
The sudden drop in estrogen that menopause causes often results in the skin becoming thin, fragile, and wrinkly. These changes are most noticeable on the face, but they can also affect the vaginal tissue, increasing the risk of sexual health problems, such as pain during sex and vaginal dryness.
Menopause also affects circulation (blood flow) and cellular turnover, which can impact your skin’s appearance and make it look older. Because of these factors, many women explore treatments that can reduce these effects in a minimally invasive way without surgery.
Platelet-rich plasma, sometimes referred to as a PRP/vampire procedure, is a treatment that involves drawing a sample of your own blood and separating the platelets, which contain growth factors and cytokines (chemical messengers that regulate inflammation and the immune response).
Once the PRP solution is ready, Dr. Cunningham injects it into strategic areas, such as your forehead (for wrinkles) or vaginal tissue (for vaginal dryness) or scalp (for hair restoration).
The PRP solution increases circulation to the treatment site and encourages your body’s healing process. For menopause-related tissue concerns, this can help improve skin smoothness and plumpness, increase hydration, and enhance comfort during sex.
Exosome therapy uses exosomes, extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication, to stimulate collagen production and repair damaged skin cells.
Like PRP, it uses strategic injections to improve blood flow, reduce wrinkles, and repair damaged skin. Exosome therapy can also support sexual health by reducing vaginal dryness and enhancing sensitivity.
Regenerative medicine techniques, such as PRP and exosome therapy, are relatively new, so research is ongoing. A growing body of evidence suggests positive results.
For example, one study found that PRP is a promising therapy for improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Another study found PRP can safely and effectively manage vaginal dryness and atrophy.
Other research has found similar benefits for exosome therapy, noting it may help reduce inflammation, encourage cellular repair, and improve structural signs of aging skin.
Despite these findings, everyone’s skin responds to regenerative medicine treatments differently, and menopausal symptoms can’t be reversed, only eased. If you’re considering either one of these therapies, it’s crucial you partner with a qualified provider, like Dr. Cunningham.
After PRP or exosome therapy, it typically takes several weeks or months for results to appear. Regenerative medicine treatments are cumulative, meaning the benefits become gradually more noticeable over time. Some women notice smoother, more elastic skin even earlier, but this is the exception, not the rule.
Immediately following treatment, it’s normal to experience mild redness or bruising at each injection site. These symptoms should improve within 24 to 48 hours.
Menopause-related skin changes can affect your confidence and quality of life, but you don’t have to suffer. Regenerative medicine therapies, such as PRP and exosome injections, offer a minimally invasive alternative to cosmetic surgery.
To see if you’re a candidate, contact us today to schedule your appointment in Marietta, Georgia, or Nashville, Tennessee, or book online.
